13 November 2025
Swan Bites is our weekly college bulletin for parents/carers – it is published every Thursday.
We welcome any feedback or comments via: enquiries@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk
College Notices
Hampshire's consultation on school admission arrangements for 2027-28
Hampshire County Council, in accordance with statutory requirements, is consulting on the 2027/28 admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools within its area.
You can view the full consultation by following this link:
https://www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/admission-arrangements27-28
The consultation will run from Monday 10 November to Friday 26 December2025.
Art Department – Newspaper Donations
If you have any unwanted newspapers lying around, please donate them to the Art Department. You can drop them off at Visitor Reception. Thank you.
Visitor Reception has moved
The Visitor Reception is no longer located in the Performing Arts Building. We are pleased to welcome you to our new reception location in S-Block.
To find us, please proceed to the second set of doors on the left-hand side as you enter the College premises.
We apologise for any inconvenience, and thank you for your cooperation.
Optimus Education Wellbeing Award
We are delighted to share that our school has successfully been reaccredited with the Optimus Education Wellbeing Award. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting the wellbeing of all members of our school community — pupils, staff, and families alike.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us create a positive and nurturing environment for everyone.
Parliament Week - Vote
We are excited to inform you that our school will be holding a mock election on Tuesday, 25th November. This is a fantastic opportunity during Parliament week for pupils to learn about the democratic process in a practical and engaging way.
In preparation, pupils will have a PSHE lesson explaining how elections work and introducing the different political parties they can vote for. The mock election itself will take place during second break under the canopy, with pupils using their proud cards as registration cards.
For Year 10 pupils who are in mocks that week, the information will be shared during Connect the week before, ensuring they are able to take part in the vote.
Due to the political content, teachers are aware of our duty of political impartiality when teaching. This is not just a matter of best practice, but a legal requirement under the UK's Education Act 1996. We are committed to offering this opportunity to pupils in a balanced and objective way.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the PSHE email at: pshe-help@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk
Thank you for supporting this exciting learning experience.
Kind regards
Miss C Sutherland
PSHE lead
November Careers Newsletter
We've published our latest Careers newsletter – it's full of the latest news, notices and opportunities for all our pupils, particularly Years 9 to 11.
Click here to find out more about upcoming open events, apprenticeships and more!
Year 7
Virtual STEM Workshop
Swanmore College have been invited to join a virtual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workshop that is being delivered by the charity PPMA BEST on Friday 28 November 2025. Pupils will expand their knowledge around engineering and manufacturing, giving an insight into future careers and subject matter. The workshop will provide opportunities for active participation in activities relating to engineering and manufacturing, with support and guidance from industry professionals on the day. Professionals will be able to share information regarding careers in fields such as robotics, machine vision, animation and more. Parents must sign their child up by Friday 14 November 2025 using this link: https://forms.gle/VtLuJ2ySV38hez5dA
Year 8
There are no specific items for Year 8 this week.
Year 9
There are no specific items for Year 9 this week.
Year 10
Year 10 - GCSE English Literature
As we move into the next phase of Year 10, following the completion of the Autumn Mocks, our pupils will begin their new GCSE English Literature study: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. This text forms an important part of the AQA GCSE Literature course and will be studied in detail throughout the coming term.
We strongly recommend that each pupil has their own personal copy of the text. Owning a copy is essential for success, as it allows pupils to annotate, highlight key quotations, and make personal notes in the margins during lessons and revision. This active engagement greatly supports understanding and recall when preparing for exams.
Recommended Resources:
- The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (ISBN 978-1789089479) – available on Amazon (complete with notes and a knowledge organiser).
- The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Revision Guide (ISBN 978-1782943082) – Available on amazon (offers clear summaries, context, and practice questions).
Ways to support your child at home:
- Encourage your child to re-read short sections regularly and discuss the key ideas in the story — for example, how people have two sides to their nature (duality), how reputation mattered in Victorian society, and how science can sometimes conflict with morality.
- Ask your child to explain the meaning of key quotations, as this helps to strengthen their understanding and confidence.
- Watch or listen to an adaptation together — there are several excellent BBC audio and film versions suitable for GCSE study.
- Use revision flashcards or online resources such as BBC Bitesize and other reputable revision websites to reinforce key ideas.
Thank you for your continued support in helping your child to succeed in English. Should you have any questions about the upcoming study or recommended resources, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s English teacher.
Kind regards
The English Department
Year 11
The Year 11 Revision Timetable for the lead-up to the January Mock Exams has been finalised and can be found by following the link below. This has also been shared with all students/parents/carers via ClassCharts and is in the shared Google Drive for the Year 11 Parent Curriculum.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IZti34SsZolMzNEzcpbDIfxArny1NXWz/view?usp=sharing
Many thanks to the Subject Leaders and staff who have been involved in putting this together and offering their time to conduct revision sessions.
Mr Heaton
Head of Year 11
Next Week’s Events
Monday, 17 November 2025
- No events today
Tuesday, 18 November 2025
- Year 8 Boys Rugby v Thornden (H)
- Year 9 Boys Rugby v Mountbatten (A)
- Year 10 Sports Leaders Event - Yr 5/6 Girls Football @ Swanmore
Wednesday, 19 November 2025
- Year 8/9 Girls Football v Kings (H)
Thursday, 20 November 2025
- GCSE PE/CNAT Girls Basketball Fixture (H)
- U14 Boys Basketball v Weston (H)
- Certificate Evening 7 pm
Friday, 21 November 2025
- E&W Junior & Inter Cross Country team event & trials @ Winchester
- Year 7 Girls Football v Mountbatten (A)
Community Notices
Swanmore Road Closures 18-22 November 2025
We have been alerted to some road closures due to the resurfacing of the junction at Gravel Hill, Forest Road and Bishops Wood Road – Swanmore. Further details can be found here: Swanmore Road Closures
Year 10 & 11 The University of Oxford Outreach Programme
The University of Oxford is offering the following opportunities for students and their families:
GENERAL SUPER-CURRICULARs
Balliol College – Insight into Maths, Science, and Humanities Talks
What? Our Insight Talk Series consists of online academic sessions in which Oxford University Graduates introduce topics that link to their own research. Sessions take the form of workshops, and students will have the opportunity to ask questions. These are super-curricular programmes which will introduce participants to new areas of knowledge.
Who? Students in Year 12 and interested Year 11s.
When?
Topology and Modern Geometry — Tuesday 11th November 2025 (4:00–5:00pm)
Creative Equations: Using Maths to Solve Real World Problems — Thursday 13th November 2025 (4:00–5:00pm)
How General Relativity Shapes Our Universe — Thursday 20th November 2025 (4:00–5:00pm)
What do we do if the Law Doesn’t Recognise a Harm? — Maternity Harms in the NHS- Tuesday 25th November (4:00–5:00pm)
Interwar Writing of the 1930s: How First World War Literature Inspired Writers of the Spanish Civil War - Thursday 27th November 2025 (4:00–5:00pm)
How Empire Shaped Medicine - Wednesday 3rd December 2025 (4:00–5:00pm)
Introduction to Human Rights Law and the Right to Protest — Thursday 4th December 2025 (4:00–5:00pm)
Topology and The Shape of Cancer- Thursday 15th January 2026 (4:00–5:00pm)
Performing Gender: Cross Dressing and Androgyny on 18th Century Stage- Thursday 22th January 2026 (4:00–5:00pm)
Where? Online
Deadline? Book at least 48 hours before the event
Bright Matter: Women and Non-Binary People In STEM
What? Bright Matter is a programme for women and non-binary students in Year 11 and 12 who are interested in studying STEM subjects at university. Bright Matter is run jointly by St Hilda’s, St Anne’s, St Catherine’s, Magdalen, Mansfield, Oriel, and University Colleges, Oxford. Bright Matter aims to broaden students’ interests in STEM fields, introduce them to STEM at Oxford, and provide a space for them to network and engage with others.
The course consists of 15 online sessions introducing each subject area. Each session will include a presentation about studying that subject at Oxford and a twenty-minute academic taster session. Each online session will run 16:30-17:30. Students who attend at least one of our online sessions will be invited to register their interest in attending an academic taster day at one of the colleges that helps run Bright Matter.
Who? Year 11s and 12s who identify as female or non-binary from UK state schools
When?
Applying to Oxford / Launch — Tuesday 7th January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Biochemistry — Wednesday 8th January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Biology — Tuesday 13th January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Biomedical Sciences — Wednesday 14th January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Chemistry — Thursday 15th January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Computer Science — Tuesday 20th January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Earth Sciences — Wednesday 21st January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Engineering — Thursday 22nd January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Human Sciences — Tuesday 27th January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Materials Science — Wednesday 28th January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Mathematics — Thursday 29th January 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Medicine — Tuesday 3rd February 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Physics — Wednesday 4th February 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Psychology — Thursday 5th February 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Philosophy of Science — Tuesday 10th February 2026 (16:30-17:30)
Where? Online. Academic taster days will take place in Oxford in the Spring and Summer.
Deadline? Students can register for the talks at any point before they take place.
St Hilda’s Webinar Series
What? St Hilda's is embarking on a webinar series for state school students that will look in detail at the Oxford admissions process, aimed at students at different stages in their applications.
Who? State school students (Y10-13) and teachers, depending on the talk
When? ‘Choosing your A Levels’ – Wednesday 12th November 2025 (16:00-16:45)
Where? Online
https://www.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/st-hildas-college-outreach-webinars
Oxford Materials Science Open Days (in person and online)
What? Experience what it's like to study Materials Science at Oxford for the day! At our annual Materials Science Open Days, you will get the chance to experience what studying Materials Science at Oxford is like. You will gain insight into the subject through taster lectures and workshop sessions, along with a feel for Oxford itself with tours of both the department and an Oxford college.
Who? Prospective students in Year 11 & 12
When? 17th & 18th February 2026, 17th & 18th March 2026, ONLINE 20th February 2026
Where? Department of Materials, University of Oxford
https://www.materials.ox.ac.uk/materials-science-open-days Booking essential
Where? Online
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/english-facultyowc-shakespeare-webinar-series-3887823
The Tower Poetry Competition
What? The Tower Poetry Competition offers the UK’s most valuable prize for young poets. The competition is free to enter, and it is open to students between 16 and 18 years of age who are educated in the UK. The poet who writes the single best poem on the theme receives £5,000. There will be a second prize of £3,000, and a third prize of £1,500. Along with these, there will be ten runners-up, who will each receive £500. The top three winners will also be offered a place on the Tower Poetry Summer School. The 2026 Competition is now open. The theme is 'A Riddle'.
Who? Students between 16 and 18 years of age who are educated in the UK.
Deadline? Thursday 19th February 2026
https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/tower-poetry/enter-tower-poetry-competition
Oxford World's Classics Shakespeare Webinar Series with Professor Emma Smith
What? In this free webinar series, Shakespeare expert Professor Emma Smith will be discussing a different Oxford World's Classics Shakespeare title each month. Emma will be in conversation with the writers of the new introductions specially commissioned for this series, discussing the play and how we might approach it differently in the twenty-first century.
The event is run by Oxford University's English Faculty in collaboration with Oxford University Press, the publishers of the Oxford World's Classics series.
Who? Anyone
When? Romeo and Juliet – Monday 1st December 2025 (6pm)
Where? Online
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/english-facultyowc-shakespeare-webinar-series-3887823
1+1= 2 Talk
In the first of a series of short talks on the equations that make mathematics, Robin Wilson begins with at the beginning with 1 + 1 = 2. In just ten minutes, Robin asks: how did early civilisations count? When did negative numbers and zero emerge? Can all numbers be written as fractions? What are rational, irrational and real numbers? And can we prove that 1 + 1 = 2
This video is available on the Oxford Mathematics YouTube Channel.
Careers
Please see below the posters in relation to upcoming Careers events.
Bishops Waltham Christmas Panto 2025
This year, the Bishop’s Waltham Festival team are putting on a pantomime – Dick Whittington – Saturday, 13 December 2025 @ 2.00 pm. Please see the poster below for further details.
Please note that any external clubs / events that are advertised here are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with Swanmore College in any way.